Washington Wetlands Centre awaits first flamingo eggs to hatch in seven years

Celebrations as 17 flamingo eggs are laid at Washington Wetlands Centre after a seven year break

Head birdkeeper Owen Joiner checks out a flamingo egg at Washington Wetlands Centre

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It has been a long wait, but for the first time in seven years a batch of flamingo eggs are due to hatch at Washington Wetland Centre.

The 17 eggs represent the culmination of a pioneering two-year conservation breeding project.

It started when flamingo chicks were hand-reared from eggs brought into the centre and integrated into the existing flock in a bid to encourage natural breeding.

The birds have failed to breed in recent years and staff at the centre were hoping this latest move would trigger a revival.

In July, delighted staff realised their first egg had been laid. But there was no stopping there, with 16 more arriving to date.

Owen Joiner, WWT Washington’s captive animal manager, said: “We now have 17 eggs and there is still a good deal of mating taking place, so there could be even more on the way.

Head birdkeeper Owen Joiner checks out a flamingo egg at Washington Wetlands Centre

“We’d expect a fertility rate of about 50% and have so far confirmed that three are fertile.

“All being well, the first chick should begin chipping its egg and hatching the first week of September. At this point we’ll return the egg to mam and dad, who will then raise the chick themselves.”

Staff at the centre are preparing themselves for the imminent new arrivals.

Gill Pipes, centre manager, said: “Conservation is not black and white and whilst an egg isn’t guaranteed to lead to a successful hatch or survival, this is a fantastic and hard-won achievement.

“It has been made possible by the amazing work of our dedicated staff and volunteers, who undertook the huge task of hand-rearing five flamingo chicks in 2013, followed by an incredible 24 last winter.

“Their efforts and the skills that they learned have led directly to our existing Chilean flamingo flock being stimulated into breeding, which is a great example of a conservation breeding programme in action.

The 19th flamingo egg to be laid at Washington Wetlands Centre

“Such skills and techniques can also pay dividends to wild populations.

“For example, building artificial nest mounds for wild flamingos has been used with great success at sites in Europe and Africa, where tens of thousands of wild flamingos have hatched directly as a result of this technique, pioneered in captivity.”

The unique hand-rearing project began in September 2012 and the first five Chilean flamingo chicks – Frankie, Nico, Phil, Flo and Fran – were introduced to the adult flock in May 2013.

In September 2013, a team of extra staff and volunteers was trained up to help raise and care for a further 24 chicks. They moved into the adult enclosure this April, bringing the total number of flamingos to 66.

Mr Joiner said: “In the wild, flamingos nest in large groups, with potentially thousands of birds breeding together. These crowded conditions stimulate natural breeding by giving the birds a sense of stability and confidence.

“Our flock failed to produce eggs for the sixth season running last year, despite a noticeable increase in displaying, flirting, mating and nest-building thanks to the introduction of the five hand-reared juveniles that May.

“By adding a further 24 chicks this April, we hoped to finally stimulate the adults into laying eggs, while at the same time increase the flock size and add young birds that would hopefully breed themselves in a few years’ time.”